Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-22

ieryiew," said Miss Morton, teariuily.
She glanced at the mirror, as was her
wont, for consolation her countenance
relaxed into q smile she adjusted a
aw.colored rinelet, and heaved
sigh. "To think that should be so
essential TO the happiness Of nan
that / must blight the existence OF one
or the other. All, they may well
say" added Miss Lucilla, patheti-
cally, clasping her hands nervOusly to-
eeiher as she heard Mr.. Westbrooks
iootstep, "that the gift Of beauty Is a
fatal one" John Westbrook was look
ing very haggard. The weeks OF sns-
pcnse had begun to tell upon him. Ho
REGARDED Miss Lucilla with forlorn air
of inquiry and seated himself obe-
diently ut her side, as, with handker-
chief in her band, she pointed 10 theva-
can't place. And then, without further
warning, the lady burst into tears.
"N hat is the matter? Ny dear
ucilla, what is the matter? I'm very
sorrv. I'm sure, if I've done anything
to wound you. IT'S only way | have
don't mean it, protested the young
man, rcmorsefully, With a shalncd r.
mombrance, certainly, Of the shortncss
OF his replies al times.
at is not your fault, John, neither
is it miue, / am sure," said Miss Lucll-
Ia, sobbing. ~ proved my attachment
TO YOU by coming out to marry you,
and We have not seemed altogether IN
harmony but money, ] assure you,
has nothing whatever to do with 1t.
u hope not. don't possess too
much Of the article not having Pud-
dicombe's luck, returned the lover.
crimly-end somewhat despairingly
"lcs-Mr. Pudddicombe. 1t Is
about him. II want to speak to you
about him, John. He was-here tins
morning" faltered Miss Lucilla. She
was utterly unable TO understand the
sudden illumination that seemed IN a
moment to have oyerspreadJOhn West
brooks countenance Miss Lucllla's
conscience smCte her TO think that he
should be on the brink Of loss and de-
spair, about to hear news that would
blight every fond hope he had cher
iehcd, news which in the very telling
would. she felt sure, overwhelm her
with remorsc-and look like that.
He was here this morning? And
what did he say? Oh, go on, go on.
Iucilla-tcllme all, for heavens sake ~
urged the lover enthusiastically. Miss
Morton looked at him with sudden
nervousness inspired 10y his manner
He could not have been in the habit OF
drinking and have managed to conceal
it from her entirely till the present mo-
ment. But Mr.. Westbrook observed
the look his appearance changed.
"You have something 10 tell me (;
what is it?' he said, and his accents
had become those of anguish. They
were accents of conviction also and
| Miss Iucila felt, rather than knew.
| that her confession was already iii
yircd that she was at least to be
spared the sorrow Of communicating
the blighting Intelligence. 1t Is as I
thought" calculated Mr.. Westbrook
Practically. Puddicombe adores you,
and YOU love him. Oh, Lucilla "
- am sure. NY dearest John, said
| Mss IuCiila, IN tears" don't know
that ought to say my dearest John,
either: but You Will always let me re-
card Won rs friend, / hope, if IT would
uCt be too trying to you, aud If Mr.
! IuddicomIe would not oblect-the
II ought tlat / must blight your lie
has cen dreadful one to me l have
ciied. | am sure, tall ! am perfect
Object. If YOU would only consider
what it 5 to be placed in such a posi-
ton. John: if / say / will not ruin
ycur happiness I am obliged to make
another miserable for iife-and such a
very NICE person" she added patheti-
caiiy. "oi such delicate refinement,
ana 20 sympathetic. Oh, dear, dear
.ohn,' ciied Miss Lucilla, bursting
INTO tears afrcsh, 1.-THE shock has been
too much for you. Iwish you wouldn I
prcan.'
"Noihing. It was merely anguish
often 90. " returned the deserted one
ircoherently and. TO Miss Lucilla's
horror. be seized his hat, and threw it
wildly, madly in the air. " Forgive
ne. o.. DO forgive me- he said, sud
denly cropping into his chair again.
- Waa "a little delirious for moment,
I think. Only the effect Of the shock,
that's al. No Lucilla. | will never
stand IN your light. I will never come
lotWcon you and happiness.
"If ,ou should feel it too much,
John, calculated Miss Luci.la, in fear,
not uru,npled with rcmorse III you
| think ID Gould disturb your reason--if
Won could not continue to live without
ne. could not be the cause SO much
/ misory.'
"Gh dear, no, Don't ever think OF
IT, resign all claim, said Mr. West
ioch, with a sudden and alarming
change of countenance. "I know how
fascinating Iuddicombe is; ( have
seen II coming And-and-i shall get
over it in time. / hope you won't con
| slider me-.
"HoY can You utter such words -?
Oh, tie seif-roproach that | feel ~
soli,d Miss Morton. - Not con
siltr youi How can you use such
Uu,l, Guel language? Yourhiuk il is
! NJ. lUddicombe's position; but felt
ior long time that there was an III
compatibility OF tastes "a diosimiiarty,
Us b. PUTS lt--aAd feel his words to
lc inc l cannot say, added Miss
luGna moJost.y, "why should be
tie chosen O. each. 10 IS a most pain
g.. ,bins to ne 10 think that 3 should
BE- zee ary to the existence OF more
& an che; lut il is my trying position.
e.. Jcin GEAR, do you think yol ever
Coi Dee ihppy aea.n ?"
":cl4opa not-hut 10 matter" said
tie Discarded lover, in accents of an
guish. with GIm remembrance of a
ne'odromaSn which he had taken part.
sch, Tor my sake Promise lne that
ycu viii Try for my sake. You will
! tud another, though it Is natural, per
lals," added Miss Lucilla, with q
c,Juce g.; the mirror, "that You should
think at present that you could never
care for any one else. if yon would
endeayor to think Of me as another,
John-il you wonld try to tear ne from
your heart, ( should not feel the self
rcprCach DO now. But for my sake
promise me that you will at least try to
] I've hor,yr